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How do cities across Michigan feel about their finances? A new report by the University of Michigan shows that approximately 36% of Michigan municipalities report they are better able to meet the financial needs of their respective communities this year compared with last fiscal year.

Statewide, jurisdictions located on the west side of the state in Leelanau County, near Traverse City, and Ottawa County had the greatest percentage of municipalities reporting positive fiscal health.

Perceptions of fiscal health have been improving steadily among Michigan communities since 2011. A smaller percentage of communities — 24% — said they were less able to meet their financial needs. The remaining 40% said they were neither better off or worse this year, according to a survey by the Center for Local, State and Urban Policy at the University of Michigan.

In southeast Michigan, approximately 60% or more of communities in Livingston, Oakland, Monroe and Macomb counties said they were better off. The rate was slightly lower but still above the statewide average in Wayne and Washtenaw counties, 44% and 49%, respectively.

The database below lists the percentages for all responding municipalities in each county and their response to the following survey question:

"Thinking about the financial needs of your jurisdiction, would you say that your unit of government is less able or better able to meet its financial needs in this fiscal year compared to the last fiscal year?"

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Source: Center for Local, State and Urban Policy, University of Michigan.